Overview
- On Wednesday, May 27, 2026, UK outlets renewed safety warnings that rigid claw hair clips can distract motorists and cause serious injury in collisions.
- Medical experts say the hard plastic and pointed edges of some clips can create pressure points, become airborne, or embed in the head during a crash or airbag deployment.
- Reporting cites two high-profile survivor cases from 2023: Jeena Panesar’s January 24, 2023 crash produced a 30cm scalp laceration and lasting muscle damage, and Paisley Riley’s March 2023 injury required five staples and prompted a widely viewed TikTok warning.
- Safety advice repeated by publications urges drivers to remove stiff clips before driving, store them in the glovebox or cup holder, and use soft alternatives such as elastic ties or scrunchies.
- The renewed guidance links to hot-weather habits of tying hair up and warns that Rule 97 of the Highway Code could be applied if clothing or accessories are shown to interfere with safe control of a vehicle, with possible fines and penalty points.